Liquid applicator having nozzle contained brush assembly



` Oct. 20, 1959 H. w.JocK|-:Rs

LIQUID APPI/.ICATOR HAVING NOZZLE CONTAINED BRUSH ASSEMBLY Filed March 5. A195e i IN VEN TOR. Hof/ry Wn/oc/e/ts BY v Saba/mm MJ Maw-2a TTOQNEKS `V Application vMarch V, 19756, `Serial No. 569,384 reclaim. (c1. 11s- 1397) This invention relates to a liquid applying -device of the type `in which a brush is moved `'outwardly through a discharge openinglin one end of the casing to a use position in which Vthe brush projects from such end opening and in which the1 brush is'retr'acted to a storage position within the casing when not in use. t

More speciical ly, although not restricted to gravity operation, the invention is related to the -type of liquid applicator described and y claimed Vin.V U.S. Patent 2,485,494.A

In" accordance with a preferred `embodiment represent,- ing the best-known mode of practicing the invention, the device is provided with a tubular nozzle member which, is suitably secured to a receptacle that contains the liquid to beapplied.u The nozzle member, preferably elongated,A is formed with a through passage. One end of the piassage is continuous 'with a discharge opening at the tip end of the nozzle and the other end of the paslslagevis continuouswith the interior of the receptacle so as to receive a charge of liquidrfrom the receptacle when the devicev is tilted or inverted to use position. e A partition element l'is hdisposed across the opening through which the nozzle chamber connects with the interior of the receptacle so as to control the How of the liquid into the nozzle chamber when the device is inverted for u se.

Contained within the nozzle chamber and either spring pressed or, as will appear, free for gravitational axial movement therein is a brush assembly comprising a stubby stem body and a brushdisposed in end to end relation. This brush assembly is guided by the vvalls of the nozzle chamber'for movement in one direction to project the ybrush through the discharge opening of the no zzle for use when, in the case of a gravity controlled applicator, the device is inverted and such opening is directed downwardly. The limit of movement to such projected or use position is determined byengagement of the peripheryvof thestem body at one end of the latter against an internal valve seat in the nozzle member, thus sealing-thenozzlepassage to prevent the flow of liquid out of-the. discharge opening. Endwise pressure on the brush displaces the stem or valve body from sealing positionagainst the valve s eat so as to permit, when needed, the flow-of an additional quantity of liquid through the discharge opening and onto the brush for-use. The brush assembly isvretracted in a reverse direction to a storage position #wholly lwithin the nozzle chamber when, again in the case o f a gravity controlled applicator, the device is turned to a position in which the discharge opening is directed upwardly. In such retracted position the stem body engages the partition element over the liquid metering vapertures or slots in the latter, consti? tutingza closure for said slots and thereby trapping withinrth'e nozzle Vchamber whatever quantity of liquid remains therein `at the conclusion of the preceding use of the device.

The partition element is desirably removable or replaceable so that the opening or openings with which it is 2,908,926 Patented Oct. 20, 1959 Vce to provide metering characteristics suited to the particular liquid contained in the receptacle. It may take the form of a washer or disc slotted or apertured to provide orifices through which the liquid is metered into the chamber of the nozzle member. In one arrangementthe partition element is snap vfitted Within a counterbore or increased diameter end portion of the nozzle, or, alternatively, andas will appear in connection with `the detailed description, the partition disc is peripherally clamped between a circular shoulder provided by a counterbore or enlarged chamber in the receiving end of the nozzle memberand the circular end of the bottle or other receptacle to which the nozzle member is secured. As a further refinement, thebase end of the nozzle member is internally threadedtoreceive the externally threaded neck of the receptacle and the threaded partsarranged to clamp the partition betweenthem. Thus the nozzleis readily removed from and replaced on the threaded neck of the` receptacle as a unitwhichincludes the brush assembly and an external sealing cap, the brush assembly being wholly contained within the nozzle and confined ventirely between the partition element and the sealing cap.

Other objects and advantages are apparent in the following, detailed description of the preferredembodiment of the device, this description being made in connection with the accompanyingdrawings forming a part of the specification. ,i

In the drawings:

.Fig l is adforeshortened vertical sectional view ofthe device in anV upright storage position;

Fig. 2 isv afragmentary longtudinal sectional ViewY similar to Fig. l showing the nozzle end of the device in an inverted, use position; and

Fig. 3 isa sectional detail -through the base end or" the. nozzle, ,withparts broken away and removed, this vievvv being taken substantiallyin the plane represented by the lined-V3 of Fig. Zand enlarged with respect to that ligure.

The vdevicecomprises a tubular casing .or receptable 1. whichn constitutes a reservoir and may take the form ofa' e glass, metal, or plastic bottle having a closure 2 at one or its bottom end. Atits other or open top end, attached as to neck 3 by threads 4, is a tubular nozzle member 5 through which the liquid contents of the receptacle 1 are delivered vfor use. The nozzle member may be formedv l as by molding or turningmetal although it is preferably made as an elongated molded plastic body of circular section. Extending axially throughV the nozzle isailuid` pas,- sage comprising a cylindrical central or main chamber 6, an enlarged base end chamber, and a converging dis-v charge passage 7 which extends between the central chamber 6 and discharge orifice 8 intipend 9. The

'i flat ended metal member and a brush or bristle tuft 172..V

juncture between the` central chamber portion 6 and the taperedv dischargen pass-age 7 occurs in a plane transverse to the axis ofthe nozzle member, the diameter differences a valve seat.

Within the nozzle chamber is accommodated a brush assembly by means of which the liquid contained in the receptacle 1 is applied. This brush assembly comprises a weighted body or base 1l in the form of a cylindrical The ends of the hairs or bristles comprising the brushW 12V are imbedded or held in a plug or tube element 14 of deformable plastic material press fitted into a cylindrical socket 151drille'd axially'into one end lof the weighted base 11'.V

' 70 formed can be selected as vby changingpartition elements In the retracted or storage position of the brush assembly, showninrligt 1, such assembly is whollyk accommodated 7within the nozzlechamber or passage, the flat circularlbottom endrface of the base resting on partition" element-or circular Vdisc washer 16. This partition disc ceptacle neck 3 and a circular radial shoulder 18 formed within the nozzle member at the juncture of 4the central chamber portion 6 of the nozzle passage and the larger diameter chamber or counterbore within base 'end 19 threaded onto the neck of the receptacle. The brush assembly is of such over-all length that, at the limit of retractive movement when the assembly rests in storage position on the partition 16, free ends 20 of the bristles extend axially beyond the valve seat shoulder 10 and are disposed within the tapered discharge passage portion 7. By -such relationship of parts, there is avoided the possibility of the bristle ends 20 engaging the circular valve seat shoulder when projecting the brush to use position.

In the use position of the device (Fig. 2) the circular end of the stubby stem base member or weight 11, being the end which surrounds the press fitted brush holding plastic element 14, engages in passage sealingV relation, either the walls of the tapered portion 7 of the passage, or, as shown, the internal annular valve seat 10 of the nozzle body. In the movement to the projected use position the brush assembly is centered in the nozzle passage by the brush 12 and the plastic sleeve 14, and the brush carries with it a quantity of the liquid. A limited quantity of the liquid ows into the discharge passage portion 7 and out of the discharge orifice 8 prior to sealing of the nozzle passage by the engagement of the stubby stem weight 11 against the valve seat 10. The brush 12 is of sufficient length to project through the discharge orifice 8 in the nozzle tip 9 and to be effective for applying the liquid when the weight body 11 is seated against the valve seat shoulder 10. i

In the inverted use position of the device, the liquid content of the receptacle or reservoir 1 is metered through apertures or bleed holes 22 in the partition washer 16 to provide a small quantity of the liquid Within the central nozzleichamber 6 and close to the valve for immediate discharge and use as needed. The size of the metering apertures 22 or their number or both size and number may be increased or decreased depending on the viscosity of the particular liquid with which the device is used. The purpose of thus limiting the free flow of the liquid contents into the nozzle chamber 6 is to maintain within such nozzle chamber during all periods of normal use, a free air chamber. Buoyant effects on the weighted base 11 of the brush assembly are thus eliminated and, upon displacement of the base 11 from sealing engagement with the annular valve seat 10, excessive owing or flooding of the liquid through the discharge passage portion 7 and out the nozzle orifice 8 is avoided.

When the device, after a period of normal use, is upended or returned to its brush retracting position, represented in Fig. l, the brush assembly returns gravitationally to the interior of the nozzle chamber, drawing the brush 12 through the orifice 8 and seating the flat bottom end face of the base weight 11 against the at upper surface of the partition washer 16 over the metering apertures 22, sealing the latter. The diameter or crosssectional shape of the brush assembly base weight 11 is such that clearance 23 is provided between the internal walls of the nozzle and the base weight in all laterally shifted positions of the latter. In the arrangement illustrated, this clearance for the free iiow of liquid around the brush assembly from one end to the other of the nozzle passage is of annular form and uniform in section from end to end of the weight 11. It is apparent, however, that other cross-sectional configurations of both the nozzle passage 6 and the base weight 11 can be used to provide free endwise gravitational movement of the weight while maintaining an open passage between the weight and the walls of the nozzle chamber for the ow of liquid.

The cross section of the base weight is also related to that of the nozzle passage 6 so that in the retracted position of the brush assembly (Fig. 1)', the liquid metering aperatures 22 are covered and sealed by the flat end face of the weight even though the latter may be displaced laterally from the centered position shown in the drawings as in agitating trapped liquid by gravitational or inertial lateral shifting. By thus sealing the metering aperatures 22 are covered and sealed by the traction of the brush assembly to storage position, return to the receptacle or reservoir 1 of any liquid that may be contained in the nozzle 5 is prevented, trapped liquid constituting a small ready supply for immediate release through the discharge passage 7 when the device is next inverted to use position.

In an arrangement in which the reservoir 1 is formed of resilient flexible material such as polyethylene or other suitable plastic, squeezing of the deformable receptacle augments the flow of liquid through the metering openings 22 in the partition 16. An advantage of the feature by which the openings 22 are sealed automatically by the brush assembly 11 when the latter returns by gravity to the storage position of Fig. l is that flow through the apertures 22 is inhibited even though inadvertent squeez# ing of the plastic or deformable receptacle 1 occurs. Y

To seal the discharge orifice 8 during relatively long periods of non-use, there is provided a tubular closure cap 24 of molded plastic material which is received over the main body of the nozzle S. This cap has a closed end 25, the inside of which is drawn strongly against the tip end 9 of the nozzle by the interengagement of external threads on the nozzle body and internal mating threads on the skirt portion of the cap, the thread joint being indicated at 26. A circular fiat washer or gasket 27 of rubber or polyethylene is press fitted in an internal recess in the cap end 25 for direct engagement with nozzle tip 9 to insure a tight seal.

. In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention together with the apparatus which I now believe to represent the best embodiment thereof, but desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown and described is only illustrative and that my invention may be carried out by other arrangements.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent v of the United States is:

A combined liquid storage `container and applicator device comprising a receptacle Ifor holding a quantity of liquid, said receptacle having an outlet opening; a tubuylar nozzle on the receptacle and having tip and base ends, the nozzle being formed with a through passage con-V tinuous with said outlet opening, the through passage of the nozzle having a cylindrically walled main chamber portion of relatively large cross sectional area and a discharge chamber portion of relatively small cross sectional area, said discharge chamber portion terminating vin a discharge opening at the tip end of the nozzle member, the nozzle member being formed with an internal Valve seat surrounding the passage at the juncture between the main and discharge chamber portions; flat surfaced partition means extending across the through passage perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof and adjacent the base end of the nozzle, said partition means being formed centrally with liquid metering orifice m'eans providing the sole path for liquid into the main portion of the through passage from the receptacle; a cylindrical weight disposed wholly within the main chamber portion ofthe passage and having on one end `a flat circular face directedv position of the device in which the nozzle tip is directed upwardly, being normally retracted wholly within and confined between the axial limits olf the nozzle passage` with the at end face of the weight resting by gravity against the flat surface of the partition means; said brush weight unit, upon inverting the device from said storage position to a working position in which the nozzle tip is directed downwardly, moving by `gravity to project the brush through the discharge opening for use; the axial length of the through passage between said surface of the partition means and the valve seat being less than, and ibetween said surface of the partition means and the discharge opening in the nozzle tip being greater than the overall length of the brush weight unit so that in the retracted position of the brush weight unit the working tip end of the brush is located intermediate the ends of the discharge portion of the through pasage outwardly of the valve seat and is confined by the Walls of such discharge passage portion; the weight and the wall of the main chamber portion dening between them a clearance space through which lliquid flows Iby gravity in passing the weight, the Weight being (free within the main chamber portion of the passage for lateral shifting as an agitator under gravitational and inertial forces into and out of engagement with the wal-1 of such main chamber por- Ition, said weight being formed sealingly to engage the internal valve seat of the through passage in the projected use position of Ithe brush weight unit to prevent continuous flow "of the liquid out the discharge opening when vthe `device is inverted, and upon return of the device to said storage position following use in the working position the 'Weight being adapted to retract gravitationally and Ito seat atwise against the partition means with he at end face of the weight directly contacting the flat surface of the partition means, the end face of the seated Weight encompassing the orice means in sealing relation to prevent return ow of Iliquid Lfrom the main chamber portion to the receptacle in all laterally shifted positions of the Weight to thereby trap a quantity of liquid in such main chamber portion, 4and the seated weight being further adapted for said lateral shifting over and in direct surface contact with substantially the entire area of the partition means surface exposed toward the main chamber portion while maintaining said sealing relation to effect direct agitation of all portions of the trapped liquid.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,067,523 Finney Jan. l2, 1937 2,630,593 lockers Mar. 10, 1953 2,686,925 Hempel Aug. 24, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,039,827 France May 20, 1953 1,087,410 France Aug. 25, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTION Patent Nog, 290892 October 20 1959 Henry William Jockers It ie hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 4L, lines and 7V strike out' 'aperatures y22 ane" covered and sealed by the traction" ind insert instead holes 22 immediately upon gravitational retraction line 33MI before "nozzle-l' insert the column 5U line l7 for Signed and sealed this 17th day of April 1962.

(SEAL) Attest;-

EsToN G'. JOHNSON DAVID L. LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

